Information for Military Service Members,
Military Veterans, and Military Spouses

Chapter 55, Occupations Code, §55.001 provides the following definitions: 

• Active duty – current full-time military service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military service as a member of the Texas military forces, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or similar military service of another state.
• Armed forces of the United States – the army, navy, air force, space force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.
• Military service member – a person who is on active duty.
• Military spouse – a person who is married to a military service member.
• Military veteran – a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.

Military service members, military spouses, and military veterans may be eligible for services including:

Initial Licensing Application Fee Waivers

The application fees for a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse applying for initial licensure may be waived.

The request for a fee waiver and related information is included in the online and paper licensing applications; a separate fee waiver request form is not required. See  the OT Application page for further information.

License Eligibility Requirements for Applicants with Military Experience

For further information, see OT Rules Chapter 364.

Initial Licensing Expedited Services

A military service member, military veteran, or military spouse applying for licensure by endorsement who is currently licensed in good standing in another U.S. state with a license similar in scope of practice to the license in Texas may request alternative licensing and expedited services. See the OT Application page for further information. Note that these services require the Board to publish information regarding complaints. Please contact the Board if wishing to pursue these services.

CE Extension

A licensee who is a military service member is entitled to two years of additional time after the expiration of the license to complete:

   1. any continuing education requirements; and

   2.  any other requirements related to the renewal of the license.

For further information, see OT Rules §370.2.

Late Renewal Fee Exemptions

A licensee will be exempt from late fees and penalty for failure to timely renew a license if the licensee establishes to the satisfaction of the Board that failure to renew the license in a timely manner was because the licensee was serving as a military service member.

For further information, see OT Rules §370.2.

Recognition of Out-of-State License of Military Service Members and Military Spouses

A military service member or military spouse may qualify to engage in the practice of occupational therapy without obtaining the applicable occupational therapy license if the military service member or military spouse currently holds a license similar in scope of practice issued by the licensing authority of another state of the U.S. and is in good standing with that licensing authority. Certain requirements must be met for eligibility, including submitting related items and receiving a confirmation of authorization from the Board.

Please contact the Board if wishing to pursue this service. 

Please contact the Board for any questions concerning the services noted on this page.